A61F2/86—Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure

A61F2/89—Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure the wire-like elements comprising two or more adjacent rings flexibly connected by separate members

A61F2/86—Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure

A61F2/90—Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure

A61F2/91—Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes

A61F2002/8486—Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents having means for fixation to the vessel wall, e.g. barbs provided on at least one of the ends

A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents

A61F2/95—Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts

A61F2002/9505—Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts having retaining means other than an outer sleeve, e.g. male-female connector between stent and instrument

A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents

A61F2/95—Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts

A61F2/962—Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts having an outer sleeve

A61F2/966—Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts having an outer sleeve with relative longitudinal movement between outer sleeve and prosthesis, e.g. using a push rod

A61F2002/9665—Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts having an outer sleeve with relative longitudinal movement between outer sleeve and prosthesis, e.g. using a push rod with additional retaining means

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a pre-cursor stent for positioning within the infrarenal neck, between an abdominal aortic aneurysm and the renal arteries of a patient to assist in repairing the abdominal aortic aneurysm. The stent is designed to be coupled to a graft for directing blood flow through the aneurysm. The stent is made from a substantially cylindrical self-expanding member having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal aids exuding therebetween and an interior. The precursor stent further includes at least two spaced apart longitudinal legs having distal and proximal ends, the proximal ends of the legs attached to the distal end of the member, the legs extending distally from the member, each the leg including a flange adjacent its distal end. Also in accordance with the present invention is an aortic graft, having the above mentioned precursor stent attached thereto when fully deployed.Further in accordance with the present invention is a delivery apparatus for the above described precursor stent.

Description

AN IMPROVED RECAPTURABLE AND REPOSITIONABLE STENT FIELD OF THE IIVVEIVTIpNThe invention relates to a precursor stmt, and a delivery apparatus therefor, for use with an aortic graft for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm. BACKGROUND OF TI-IE INVENTIpNAn abdominal aortic aneurysm is a sac caused by an abnormal dilation of the wall of the aorta, a major artery of the body, as it passes through the abdomen. The abdomen is that porrtion of the body which lies between the thorax and the pelvis. It contains a cavity, known as the abdominal cavity, separated by the diaphragm from the thoracic cavity and lined with a membrane, the peritoneum. The aorta is the main trunk, or artery, from which the systemic arterial system proceeds. It arises from the left ventricle of the heart, passes upward, bends over and passes down through the thorax and through the abdomen to about the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra, where it divides into the two common iliac arteries.The aneurysm usually arises in the infrarenal portion of the diseased aorta, for example, below the Kidneys. When left umreated, the aneurysm will eventually cause rupture of the sac with ensuing fatal hemorrhaging in a very short time. I~rgh mortality associated with the nrpture has led to the present state of the art and the traps-abdominal surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Surgery izzvolving the abdominal wall, however, is a major undertalang with associated high risks. There is considerable mortality and morbidity associated with this magnitude of surgical inrtervention, which in essence involves replacing the diseased and aneurysm segment of blood vessel with a prosthetic device which typically is a synthetic tube, or graft, usually fabricated of either DACRON~, TEFLON~, or other suitable material.To perform the surgical procedure requires exposure of the aorta through an abdominal incision, which can extend from the rib cage to the pubis. The aorta must be closed both above and below the aneurysm, so that the aneurysm can then be opened and the thrombus, or blood clot, and arterioscleriotic debris removed. Small arterial branches from the back wall of the aorta are tied off. The DACRON~ tube, or graft, of approximately the same size of the normal aorta is sutured in place, thereby replacing the aneurysm. Blood flow is then reestablished through the graft. It is necessary to move the intestines in order to get to the back wall of the abdomen prior to clamping off the aorta.If the surgery is performed prior to rupt<uing of the abdominal aorta aneurysm, the survival rate of treated patients is markedly higher than if the surgery is performed after the aneurysm ruptures, ahhough the mortality rate is still quite high. If the surgery is performed prior to to the aneurysm rupturing, the mortality rate is typically less than 5%. Conventional surgery performed after the rupture of the aneurysm is significantly higher, one study reporting a mortality rate of 66.7%. Although abdominal aortic aneurysms can be detected from routine examinations, the patient does not experience any pain from the condition. Thus, if the patiait is not receiving routine examinations, it is possible that the anwrysm will progress to the rupture stage, wherein ~ 5 the mortality rates are significantly higher.Disadvantages associated with the oonvecnional, prior art surgery, in addition to the high mortality rate, are: the extended rncov~ery period associated with such surgery, difficulties in suturing the graft, or tube, to the aorta; the loss of the existing thrombosis to support and reinforce the graft; the un.~uitability of the surgery for many patients having abdominal aortic 2o aneurysms; and the problems associated with performing the surgery on an emergency basis after the aneurysm has ruptured. As to the extent of recovery, a patiem, can expect to spend from I to 2 weeks in the hospital after the surgery, a major portion of which is spent in the intensive care unit, and a convalescence period at home from 2 to 3 months, psrticarlarly if the patient has other illness such as heart, hmg, liver, and/or kidney disease, in which case the hospital stay is also lengthened.2s Since the graft must be scarred, or s~rturod, to the remaining portion of the aorta, it is often difficult to perform the suturing step because of thrombosis present on the remaimmg portion of the aorta, and that remaining portion of the aorta wall may be fiiable, or easily crumbled.Since the thrombosis is totally removed in the prior art surgery, the new graft does not have the benefit of the previously existing thrombosis therein, which could be utilized to support 3o and reinforce the gaff, were the graft to be able to be inserted within the existing thrombosis.

Since many patients having abdominal aortic aneurysms have other chronic illnesses, such as heart, lung, liver, and/or kidney disease, coupled with the fact that many of these patients are older, the average age being approximately 67 years old, these patients are not ideal candidates for such surgery, which is considered major surgery. Such patients have difficulties in surviving the operation. Lastly, once the aneurysm has ruptured, it is difficult to perform a conventional surgery on an expedited basis because of the extent of the surgery.Accordingly, the prior art teaches various methods and apparatus for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm which is believed to lower morbidity and mortality rate by not requiring an abdominal incision and general anesthesia, not requiring suturing the graft to the remaining aortic wall, and which permits the existing aortic wall and thrombosis therein to be retained to reinforce and support the aortic graft. An example of such a method and apparatus is given in U.S. Patents 5,316,023 issued to Palmaz et a1. on May 31, 1994; 5,360,443 issued to Barone et al. on November 1, 1994; 5,578,071 issued to Parodi on November 26, 1996; and 5,591,229 issued to Parodi on January 7, 1997.Devices, such as the one shown in the above referenced Barone patent, use an improved method for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm in an aorta having two iliac arteries associated therewith. The device includes first and second tubes, preferably made from a variety of matenals such as DACRON~ and other polyester materials, TEFLON~ (polytetrafluoroethylene), TEFLON~ coated DACRON~, porous polyurethane, silicone, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, and expanded polyurethane. It is preferred that all of the foregoing materials be porous to allow for an intimal layer to form on the tubes 160. Each of the tubes are connected to expandable and deformable, tubular members, or stems. These stems can be similar in structure to those described in disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,733,665 issued on March 29, 1988; U.S. Patent 4,739,762, issued on April 26, 1988; and U S Patent 4,776,337 issued on October 11, 1988, all of the foregoing patents being in the name of Julio C. Palinaz. Each of the tube/stein structures are then disposed on the end of a balloon catheter. Either both tubes are inserted into the same femoral artery or one of the tubes is inserted into one femoral artery of the patient and the other tube is inserted into the other femoral artery of the patient. Thereafter the tubes are intraluminally delivered to the aorta, thereby disposing at least a portion of each tube within the abdominal aortic aneurysm. The balloon catheters are then expanded to expand and deform the tubular members, to force the tubular members radially outwardly into contact with the aorta and each other. This secures the tubular members and a least a portion of each tube within the aorta, whereby the tubes provide a bilateral fluid passageway through the abdominal aortic aneurysm.While the above mentioned devices would seem to work well, there is a desire to improve upon the device. More particularly, there was a need to ensure that most of the blood flowing through the abdomen, flows through the bilateral fluid passageways and not around them where it could cause further damage. A precursor stmt gasket may limit the amount of blood which could leak around the bilateral fluid passageways and into the aneurysm. The pre-cursor stmt is positioned within the infrarenal neck, between an abdominal aortic aneurysm and the renal arteries, of a patient to assist in repairing the abdominal aortic aneurysm. The stmt is designed to be coupled to the bilateral grafts for directing blood flow. The graft has a distal end for positioning distal to the aneurysm, and a proximal end for positioning proximal to the aneurysm. The precursor stmt includes a substantially cylindrical expandable member having a proximal end, a distal end and an interior. The stmt further includes a compressible gasket member located within the interior of the expandable member and attached thereto The compressible member is substantially impervious to blood when in a compressed state. In addition, the stmt has a means, within the compressible member, for coupling the graft to the gasket member. This is so the coupled device can direct blood flow through the graft, with the gasket member substantially preventing blood from flowing into the aneurysm.While the above described precursor stmt gasket works well, there has been a desire to improve upon it. There has been a desire to design an improved gasket which can be more accurately placed within the body by making the gasket retrievable back into the delivery device if the physician determines that his current placement is not ideal. That is, a retrievable and re-positional stmt would be advantageous. While retrievable stems are known in the art, none of them allow the body or member of the stem to be filly deployed and then recapture without having the stmt attached to a separate line or the like. In addition, in the past making the stem gasket retrievable posed design difficulties. The retrievable features should not interfere with the gasket material. Puncturing the gasket material might lead to blood leakage within the aneurysm.In addition, the small size of the precursor stent gasket and its delivery system poses some difficulties with retrievability. The present invention not only overcomes these problems associated with prior precursor stents, but provides a advantageous repositionable and re-s capturable stent that can have many applications other than abdominal aortic aneurysms.. S~1MMARY OF THE IIWENTIONIn accordance with the present invention there is provided a pre-cursor stem for positioning within the infrarenal neck, between an abdominal aortic aneurysm and the renal arteries of a patiert to assist in repairing the abdominal aortic aneurysm. The stmt is designed to be coupled to a graft for directing blood flow through the anarrysm. The stoat is made from a substantially cylindrical self-expanding member having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis extending therebetween and an interior. The precursor stmt further includes at least two spaced apart longitudinal legs having distal and proximal ends, the distal ends of the legs are 1 s attached to the proximal end of the member, the legs extending proximally away from the member, each the leg including a flange adjacent its proximal end.Further in accordance with the present invention there is provided an aortic graft for intravasvxrlar delivery to repair an abdominal aortic anauysm in an aorta having two iliac arteries a.~sociated therewith. The graft includes first and second graft mantas each having distal and 2o proximal ends and each designed to be inserted through a femoral artery in a collapsed condition, and inserted within the aneurysm and deployed therein. The distal ends of the graft members are distal to the aneurysm adjacent an arterial wall. The aortic graft fi~rther includes a prcarrsor stmt, surrounding the distal ends of each of graft member. The prearrsor stoat is made from a substantiatiy cylindrical self-expanding member having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal 25 axis extending therebetween and an interior. The precursor stmt includes at least two spaced apart longitudinal legs having distal and proximal ends. The distal ends of the legs are attached to the proximal end of the member, and the legs extending proximally away from the member. Each of the legs includes a flange adjacent its distal end. The precursor stent further includes a gasket member attached thereto for substarnially preventing blood from flowing through nay gaps s between the distal ends of the graft members, and between the distal ends of the graft members and the arterial wall.Even further in accordance with the presem invention, there is provided a delivery apparatus for a self-expanding stent. The apparatus includes an outer sheath, comprising an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends, and an inner shaft located coaxially within the outer sheath, the shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the shaft furt6a including at least two grooves disposed thereon. The apparadrs furt6Q includes a substantially cylindrical self-~panding scent located within the sheath and ma~g frictional contact therewith. The self-expanding member has a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal 1o axis extending therebetween and an interior. The self-expanding stmt Earths includes at least two spaced apart longitudinal legs having distal and proximal ends. The distal ends of the legs are attached to the proximal end of the member, and the legs ex'<tad proximally away from the member. Each of the legs includes a flange adjacent its proximal end. The flanges are set within the grooves of the inner shaft, thereby releasable attaching the scent to the inner shaft.~s BRIEF DESCRIIrTION OF DRAWINGSThe foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will best be appc~eciated with reference to the detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, vvhaan:2o Figure 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of precursor stmt 10 made in accordance with the present invention having the gasket manber 30 removed for clarity.Figure 2 is a partial exploded view of the distal end of apparaars 40, made in accordance with the present invention, and the legs and flanges of the praxusor steal.Figure 3 is a partial cross sectional view of an abdominal aortic anaaysm showing apparatus 40, 25 made in accordance with the present invention, inserted therein with preairsor scent in its fully un deployed position.Figure 4 is a view sinrilar to that of Figure 3 but showing the preciuaor scent in its partially deployed position.Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 but showing the precursor stmt in its fully 3o deployed position.

Figure 6 is a partial cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5.Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 5 but showing the precursor stent 10 coupled to endogafts.Figure 8 is a is a partial cross-sectional view a prior art bilateral infra-aortic bypass graft of the type to be used with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE I1~1VENTIONThe present invention is designed to be coupled andlor used with a gaff for directing blood flow. Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate the same element to throughout the views, there is shown in Figure 8, a prior art version of such a gaff. The type of gaff it is designed to be coupled to is very similar to types of gaffs known in the prior art.Therefore, a description of a prior art gaff may be helpful. Figure 8 shows such a gaff. Figure 8 shows a bilateral infra-aortic bypass gaff 150 for intratuminal delivery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm 151 in an aorta 152 having two iliac arteries 153L, 1538 associated therewith.1s Associated with aorta 152, above aneurysm 151, are a plurality of renal arteries 157, in fluid communication with aorta 152. Bilateral infra aortic bypass graft 150, as well as other gaffs to be hereinafter described, could also be utilized in the thoracic aorta, and can be used to repair thoracic aneurysms or thoracic dissecting aneurysms. Accordingly, use of the term "aortic aneurysm" in this ion and claims is intended to relate to aid mean both abdominal aortic 2o aneurysms and thoracic aaauysms-Bypass gaff 150 is seen to generally comprise a E~rst gaff tube 160A having distal and proximal ends 172A and 173A, at least a portion of the gaff tube 160A adapted to be disposed within the aneurysm 151, preferably so that its distal and is distal to the aneurysm and its proximal end is proximal to the ana~rysrn. A second graft tube 160B is similarly situated on the right side.2s Graft 150 also includes E~rst and second tubular stmt members 162A, 162B, each having proximal and distal ends 181 A dc 18 I B, and 182A & 182B located within gaffs 160. Each stmt member 162A, 162B hss proximal and distal ends, prefaabiy positioned so that the distal ends are distal to the aneurysm and the proximal ends are proximal to the aneurysm.The stem members 162, alor~with gaff tubes 160 permit intraluminal delivery irno the 3o aorta 152. This is accomplished by percutaaeously inserting the scent members imo the same or different femoral arteries and navigating them into the aorta. This type of procedure is similar to delivery of angioplasty catheters and guiding catheters into the human vasculature. Upon the placement of the stern members they are deployed either through a radially, outwardly extending force, such as a balloon catheter, or self-expanding stents and deployed by releasing the stent members from a constraint. Once deployed, a bilateral passageway is formed within the abdominal aortic aneurysm by passageways 191 A, 191 B extending through the scent members 162 and graft tubes 160 forming a generally imrerted Y-shaped configuration. Each scent member 162A, 1628 preferably has a smooth outer wall surface disposed between its distal and proximal ends. Stecrt members 162 preferably have a substantially uniform thickness with a phrrality of to slots formed therein.Graft tubes 160A, 1608 preferably have a generally, circxrlar cross-sectional configuration, and can be made from a variety of materials, provided they have the requisite strength -characteristics to be utilized as a bypass graft 150, as well as have the requisite compatibility with the human body in order to be used as a graft, or implant material, without being rejected by the t 5 patient's body. Examples for such materials are DACRON Registered TM and other polyester materials, TEFLON Re~aed TM (polytttrasuorodhylene), TEFLON Registered TM coated DACRON Registered TM , porous polyurethane, silicone, expanded poiytetra8uoroethylene, and e»panded polyurethane. It is preferred that all of the foregoing materials be porous to allow for as iatimal layer to form on the graft tubes 160. Additionally, graft tubes 160A, 1608 can be made by 2o the replamineform replicated life forms process, which is a method for falxic~ag u~formly microporous materials from nrarine skeletal strucdrres. The foregoing descn'bed fabric materials can be knitted or woven, and can be warp or weft knitted. If the material is warp knitted, it may be provided with a velour, or towel like surface, which speeds up clotting of blood which contacts gr:ft tubes 160A, 1608 in order to increase the attachment, or int~tion, of graft tubes 160A, 25 1608 to aorta 152, or to assist the integration of graft tubes 160A, 1608 to the thrombosis 154.Graft tubes 160A, 1608 can also be made of a biodegradable, or degradable material, such as albumin or collagen or a coUsgea coated material. A graft tube which is bioerodrble, would erode and dissolve, or degrade, over a period of time; however, it is believed that a layer of endothelium, or skin, will grow as the graft tubes 160A, 1608 erode, the new layers of 3o eadotheliurr>, or skin, provide a new, fluid impervious lining within aneurysm 151. In some s procedures, it might be desirable to make graft tubes 160A, 1608 of a fluid impervious material.Additionally, graft tubes 160A, 1608 or scent 162A, 1628, could have a coating of a biologically inert material, such as TEFLON Registered TM or porous polyurethane.If any of the foregoing described materials are used for the manufacture of graft tubes 160, the graft tubes may be connected to the scent members 162 as by a plurality of conventional sutures of polypropylene, DACRON Registered TM , or any other suitable material. Preferably, the ends of graft tubes 160 overlap and fully cover the second ends of stmt members 162, such overlapping being approximately 100~/0 of the length of scent members 162.The present invention improves upon the prior art graft 150, mentioned above, by 1o further including, and preferably initially deploying, a precursor scent 10, shown in Figure 1. Scent is to be deployed within the infrarenal neck, between an abdominal aortic anwrysm and the renal arteries of a patient to assist in repairing the abdominal aortic anwrysm. The scent is ..designed to be coupled to a graft, such as the one described above, for directing blood flow through the aneurysm. T6e alert is made from a substamislly cylindrical self-expanding member t s 12 having a proximal end 14, a distal end 16, a longitudinal axis extending therebetween sad an interior 18. The precursor scent further includes at least two, but prefexabhy 8 as shown in Figtue 1, spaced apart longitudinal legs 20 each having proximal and distal ends 24 and 26 respectively.Preferably, there is a leg extending from each apex 1 I of diamonds 13. T6e distal ends 26 of the kgs are attached to the proximal end 14 of the manta 12, the legs exte~ag proximally away 2o from the member. At least one, but preferably each leg includes a flange 28 adjacent its proximal end which, as is described in greater detail below, allows for the steal to be retrievable into its delivery apparatus after partial or full deployment of member 12 so that it can be turned, or otherwise repositioned for proper alignment.Self expanding scents are typically made from srrpadastic Nckd Titanium alloys 2s (Nitinol). Descriptions of medical devices which use such alloys can be found in U.S. Patents 4,665,906 issued to Jervis on May 19, 1987, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.Scent 10 is preferably lass cut from a tubular piece of Nclcd Titanium Alloy and tt>e~afta treated so as to exhibit superelastic properties at body temperature. Scent 10 is shown in the figures as being a zigzag or diamond patterned scent, having approximaxely 8 diamonds, and when the stmt is fully expanded the diamonds would have angles of 45-55 degrees at their distal and proximal ends. However, slant 10 can take on many different patterns or configurations.Many of the advantages of slant 10 can be better understood by referring to its delivery apparatus 40 shown in Figures 2 and 3. Apparatus 40 includes an outer sheath 50 which is s essentially an elongated tubular member, similar to ordinary guiding catheters which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Sheath 50 has a distal end 52 and a proximal end (not shown) Apperatirs 40 also includes an inner shaft 60 located coaadally within the outs sheath 50 prior to deployment as shown in Figure 3. The itmer shaft has a distal end 52 and a proximal end (not shown). The distal end 52 of the shaft has at least two, preferably 8 to match the cumber of longitudinal arms and diamond apexes on stmt 10, grooves 54 disposed thereon. As seen from Figure 3, when the apparatus is not fully deployed. step 10 located within the sheath and making frictional contact therewith. The 9anges on the legs of the sleet are set within the grooves of the -inner shaft, thereby releasable attaching the stmt to the iana shaft.The advantages of the longitudinal legs, its flanges and the grooves on the inner shaft can best be described by referring to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows the apparatus 40 with the steal in its fully un-deployed position. Figure 3 also shows an aorta 2, an abdominal aortic anauysm 3, remsl arta~ies 4A and 4B, and iliac vessels fiA and 6B of a human patient. As seen from Figure 3, the apparatus 40 has been penattanexxrsly inserted into the ftmoral artery and guided within the patients vaaailar system and inserted into the anatrysm 3. As mentioned above, 2o expandable member 12 of steal 10 is designed to be deployed within the irtfrareoal neck, between an abdominal aortic aneurysm and the renal arteries of a patient to assist in repairing the abdominal aortic anauysm. As will become apparent below when disatssing the gasket aspect of the present invention, placxmatt of expandable member 12 is importarn. The physician must have precise placement of the member to ensure adequate repair of the anextrysm.2s As seen from Figure 4, the pre~t imre~ion allows the physician to fully deploy member 12 within the body without fully releasing the entire steal 10 from engagement with the delivery device. The legs 20 of the stmt interlock with grooves 54 on imxr shaft 60. T6avfore, if the physician decides that the placement of the steal as shown in Figure 4 is incorrect, he would then push on the outer member of the apparatus while keeping the inner member stationary, thereby 3o resulting in the stern being retrieved or retracted within outer sheath 50 so that the physician could reposition the stent. The legs allow the physician to see how the member 12 would be position when fuDy deployed. Once the physician has good position of the member 12, the legs 20 are released form their engagement with the inner shaft and move away from member 12 so as not to interfere with the rest of the procedure, as shown by the arrows in Figure 5. The legs are very pliable and d not need to be pushable, so that they are as atraumatic as possible.In order to prevent the physician from prematurely completely deploying the stent 10, a releasable stop is preferably placed on the inner shaft. The stop could be a ring having a greater diameter thaw the outer member, so that as the outer manta is pulled proximally along the inner shaft it hits the stop, and preve~s fill deployment of the entire stent 10. The stop is preferably 1o releasable attached to the inner member, by threads or the like, so that it can be released from its engagement with the inner shaft to allow the outer member to slide back enough to firlly deploy the entire slant 10 within the body.As seen from the figures, the flanges 28 are substantially I-shaped. However, the flanges can be of any suitable shape. As used herein, flange means any protrusion on the proximal ends of -t 5 legs 20, which is capable of interlocking with the grooves 54 on shaft 60. The I-shaped protrusions protrude from the legs in an axial direction. However, the flanges could poitrt towards the interior of the expandable, much like a hook, and fit within a deep groove on the shaft. In addition, it is preferred that the legs of the stmt be equally spaced about the distal end of the expandable member. This is so the slant is ~miformtp retracted witltirt the sheath upon 'rt bang 20 retrieved.In one embodiment of precursor steal 10, shown in most of the figures but removed from Figure 1 for clarity, precursor slant 10 further includes a gasket member 30. This feature can be better understood by referting to Figure 6- As seen from that figure, precursor ste~at 10 firrtha includes a gaskd member 30. Gasket member 30 can be located within the expandable member 25 such that it would come in the way of or impede any blood trying to flow through the interior of the expandable member or around the steal itself. For this embodiment gasket member 30 is a compressible m~bef located within the interior 26 of the expandable member 12 and also covering the exterior of the stmt as well. For the embodiment shovm in Figure 6, gasket member 30 can be made from any number of materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art including 30 open cell foam materials such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polytetrafluroethylene, other various polymer materials which are woven or knitted to provide a flexible structure such as Dacron, polyurethane, polypropylene, polytetrafluroethylene can also be used. Gasket 30 can be attached to expandable member 12 by any number of means including a phirality of conventional s~rtures of polypropylene, DACRON~, or any other suitable material and attached thereto. Other methods s of attaching gasket 30 to expandable member include adhesives, ultrasonic welding, mechanical interference fit.As will be explained later herein, it is preferable that the compressible member is substantially impervious to the flow of blood, at least when in a partially compressed state. When used throughout for the present invention, materials which are substantially impervious to the to flow of blood include materials which become substantially impervious to the flow of blood after being saturated with blood. When the step tubes and graft members, described above, are inserted and expanded within the gasket 30, the gasket 30 will compress. In this state, the gasket should be substantially impervious to blood so as to prevent blood from flowing thrwgh the interior 26 of member 12 and into the aneurysm.t s The slant should include, within the compressible member, a coupling for joining a bilateral graR, such as graft 150, to the gasket member. As sees from Figure 3, gasket member 30 includes two substantially cylindrical conduits (although they could have any suitable shape such as a semi-cylindrical or D-shape cross-section), 32 and 34, extending through gasket 30.Conduits 32 and 34 are designed to recWVe one half of a bilateral graft in its un-e~cpanded 2o condition. After the grafts are inserted into the conduits, they are expanded so that thry are attached to slant 10. However, conduits 32 and 34 are not the only coupling for joining a bilateral graft, such as graft 150, to the gasket member. The coupling could be an integral part of the material the gasket 30 is made from For example if gasket 30 is made from as open cell foam, the -bilateral graft could pierce the mata~ial so as to effectively create its own conduit is through the gasket 30. The coupling does not have to be a physical attachment, but rather some means for allowing the stearts and grafts to work in operational engagement. This coupling is so that the combined preairsor stmt and bilateral graft direct blood flow through the graft, with the gasket member substantially preventing blood from flowing into the anauysm.Other alternative embodiments for the gasket member include attaching a compressible 3o gasket member, similar to a drum gasket, to the distal end of the expandable member. Such drum l2 gasket can be made from any number of materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art including various polymer materials which are woven, knitted, or foamed to provide a flexible structure such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polytetrafluroethylene, other various polymer materials which are woven or knitted to provide a flexible structure such as Dacron, polyurethane, s polypropylene, polytetrafluroethylene can also be used. Such drum gasket can be attached to the expandable member by any number of means including a plurality of conventional sutures of polypropylene, DACRON~, or any other suitable material sad attached thereto. A means for joining the bilateral graft to the drum gasket could inchrde two substantially circular holes extending through the gasket or could also be an integral part of the material the gasket is made o from. For example if the drum gasket is made from an open cdl foam the bilateral graft could be pierce the material so as to effectively create its own conduit through the gasket. This coupling is so that the combined precxusor stmt and bilateral graft direct blood flow through the graft, with the gasket member substantially preventing blood from flowing into the aneurysm. In one particular embodiment a gasket of a drum type is placed within the steal at a predetermined is distance from the distal end of the scent. The gasket would have two conduits, however, one would be larger than the other, with the smaller one being prdoaded onto a delivery system having a guidewire thereon. The preloadod guidewire would be used to guide one of the endografts into the scent. Thereafter, when a second guidewire is i~roduced for delivery of a second endograft, the guidtwire will be blocked on one side by the drum gasket and guided into 2o the empty and props side.After the precursor scent 10 has been deployed, bilateral grafts, similar to that shown in Figure 8, can then be deployed. Figure 7 shows how aneurysm 3 would appear after precursor scent has been fully deployed and two endografts 80 and 90 have been fully deployed as well.Since grafts 80 and 90 are substantially identical, a detailed des~ption of a single endogr~t, graft 2s 80, will now be given. Endograft 80 has a similar lion but a different consriuction than the graft tube 160 and steal member 162 combination described above. Endograft 80 is preferably comprises a steal 81 laser cut from a tube of material, such as nitinol. The scent has a distal anchoring portion 82, a proximal anchoring scent 84, an middle portion 85 (not shown) and a flexible graft tube 86 covering the middle portion and attached thereto. The scent 81 is 3o expandable from a compressed state to its implanted size. Distal anchoring portion 82 is designed l3 to sealably contact and attach itself to the gasket member 30, and could include legs and flanges attached thereto, so as to make the stmt 81 retractable and repositionable similar to slant 10.Proximal anchoring portion 84 is designed to be expanded so as to make contact with and attach itself to iliac artery 6A. Slants 81 is preferably a self-expanding scent, but could also be a plastically deformable balloon expandable slant, both types being discussed above. Graft tube 86 can be made from any of the materials graft member 160 can be made from. Preferred materials include a polymer material wovdr , spun, knitted, or other fabrication process obvious to thox familiar with the art. Graft tube 86 is preFaably impdmeable to the Bow of blood or becomes impenncabk to blood How tha~ethrough after it is saturated. GraR tube 86 must be He~n'ble to 1o contour to the anatomy and of sufficient strength to suareit~ physiological blood pressure.1~igure 7 is a good illustration of how the present invention substantially prevents blood from flowing around endograRs 80 and 90 and into the abdomai. As seen from that figure, expandable member 12 makes oontsct with tire aorta 2 when it is expanded, and gasket member 30 Ells the space between the bilateral endografts 80 and 90 and the aorta 2 this creating a seal t s which directs substantially all of the blood How through the endografts.Ahhough particular embodiments of the present invartion have been and descn'bed, modi5cstion may be made to the device and/or method without departing from the spirit and scope of the presort invention. The terms used in describing the invention are used in their descriptive sense and not as terms of linritations.

Claims (23)

1. ~A stent comprising:a) ~a substantially cylindrical self-expanding member having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis extending therebetween and an interior; and b) ~at least two spaced apart longitudinal legs having distal and~proximal ends, said distal ends of said legs attached to said proximal end of said member, said legs extending proximally away from said member, at least one of said legs further including a flange adjacent its proximal end, which flange, when in use, is releasably attached to a delivery apparatus.

2. ~The stent of claim 1, wherein each of said legs includes a flange adjacent its proximal end.

3. ~The stent of claim 1 or 2, wherein said self-expanding member is made from a superelastic Nickel-Titanium alloy.

4. ~The stent of any claims 1 to 3, wherein said said legs extend proximally and radially from said self-expanding member when said stent is released from said delivery device, when deployed within a body.

5. ~The stent of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said longitudinal legs are equally spaced about said proximal end of said self-expanding member.

6. ~The stent of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least one flange on said longitudinal legs are substantially I-shaped.

7. ~The stent of any one of claims 1 to 6, which is adapted for positioning within the infrarenal neck, between an abdominal aortic aneurysm and the renal arteries of a patient to assist in repairing the abdominal aortic aneurysm, said stent being designed to be coupled to a graft for directing blood flow through the aneurysm.

8. ~The stent of claim 7, wherein said self-expanding member further includes a gasket member which is substantially impervious to blood flow, such that, when in use, with said stent coupled to a graft and said gasket member attached to said self-expanding member, the gasket will substantially prevent blood from flowing through any gaps between said graft and the infrarenal neck.

9. ~The stent of claim 8, wherein said gasket member comprises a compressible member located within said interior of said self-expanding member.

10. The stent of claim 8 or 9, wherein said gasket member comprises an open cell foam.

11. A delivery apparatus for a self-expanding stent, said apparatus comprising:a) ~an outer sheath, comprising an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends;b) ~an inner shaft located coaxially within and axially movable relative to said outer sheath, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said shaft further including at least two grooves disposed thereon; and c) ~a stent as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10 located within said sheath, wherein said flanges are set within said grooves of said inner shaft, thereby releasably attaching said stent to said inner shaft.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said flanges and said grooves are T-shaped.

13. ~The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, wherein said flanges fit completely within said grooves so that said stent adds no additional outside diameter size to said inner shaft.

14. ~An aortic graft for intravascular delivery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm in an aorta having two iliac arteries associated therewith, said graft comprising:a) ~first and second graft members having distal and proximal ends, each graft member being designed to be inserted through a femoral artery in a collapsed condition, and inserted within the aneurysm and deployed therein so that said distal ends of said graft members are distal to said aneurysm adjacent an arterial wall; and b) ~a stent comprising a substantially cylindrical self-expanding member having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis extending therebetween and an interior, wherein the stent further comprises at least two spaced apart longitudinal legs having distal and proximal lends, said distal ends of said legs being attached to said proximal end of said member, said legs extending proximally away from said member and at least one of said legs further including a flange adjacent its proximal end which flange, when in use, is releasably attached to a delivery apparatus, the stent surrounding said distal ends of each of said graft members and coupleable thereto, said stent further including a gasket member, attached thereto for substantially preventing blood from flowing through any gaps between said distal ends of said graft ends of said graft members, and between said distal ends of said graft members and said arterial wall.

15. ~The graft of claim 14, wherein each of said legs includes a flange adjacent~its proximal end.~

16. The graft of claim 14 or 15, wherein said self-expanding member is made from a superelastic Nickel-Titanium alloy.

17. The graft of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein said legs extend proximally and radially from said self-expanding member when said stent is released from said delivery device, when deployed within a body.

18. The graft of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein said longitudinal legs are equally spaced about said proximal end of said self-expanding member.

19. The graft of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein said at least one flange on said longitudinal legs is substantially I-shaped.

20. The graft of any one of claims 14 to 19, which is adapted for positioning within the infrarenal neck, between an abdominal aortic aneurysm and the renal arteries of a patient, to assist in repairing the abdominal aortic aneurysm, and for directing blood flow through the aneurysm.

21. The graft of claim 20, wherein said self-expanding member further includes a gasket member which is substantially impervious to blood flow;such that, when in use, with said stent coupled to a graft, and said gasket member attached to said self-expanding member, the gasket will substantially prevent blood from flowing through any gaps between said graft and the infrarenal neck.

22. The graft of claim 21, wherein said gasket member comprises a compressible member located within said interior of said self-expanding member.

23. The graft of claim 21 or claim 22, wherein said gasket member comprises an open cell foam.